Movieo
Poster for Burning Bush

Burning Bush

2013 · 3h 51m · N/A Drama
Directed by Agnieszka Holland

Seen it?

Overview

Burning Bush is a three-part mini-series created for HBO by world-renowned Polish director Agnieszka Holland. Based on real characters and events, this haunting drama focuses on the personal sacrifice of a Prague history student, Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in protest against the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1969. Dagmar Buresová, a young female lawyer, became part of his legacy by defending Jan's family in a trial against the communist government, a regime which tried to dishonour Palach's sacrifice, a heroic action for the freedom of Czechoslovakia.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
Fresh

Just because Eastern Bloc period pieces are almost always stately and elegiac doesn't mean a largely compelling movie like this shouldn't still manage to surprise us once or twice over the course of four hours.

Michael Nordine, L.A. Weekly
Fresh

Enthralling ...

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Fresh

Elegantly scripted with an edge of biting gallows humor by Stepan Hulik, Burning Bush blends an intimate domestic drama with a thrilling Cold War procedural ...

Ella Taylor, NPR
Fresh

An absorbing docudrama that maintains a gratifying equilibrium between hope and cynicism.

Mike D'Angelo, AV Club
Fresh

"Burning Bush" really isn't intended for American viewers, and you may need to do a little homework or scramble to keep up. Generally speaking, it's highly worth it.

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

Comments

Talk about the film with other members

More films